Removable rumble seat top



May 28, 1935.

2 Sheets Sheet 1 May 28, 1935. E. s. TUPPER REMOVABIZIE RUMBLE SEAT TOP Original FiledAug. 8, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v //Vl/ENTOR Patented May 28, 1935 k i v 9 UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFICE Application August 8, 1932, Serial No. 627,819

- Renewed November 10, 1933 29 Claims. (Cl. 296-99) This invention relates to a removable top to of the absence of fastening devices upon the be mounted, as desired, over the rumble seat sideor rear portions of the foldable top. opening of automobiles of the roadster and sim- To the accomplishment of the objects named ilar types. The top, when in position, provides and such others as may hereinafter appear, as

with the back of the seat a complete enclosure will readily be understood by those skilled in the 5,

for occupants of the rumble seat should such art, the invention comprises thefeatures and complete enclosure be necessary because of combinationsof parts first described in detail weather conditions but its sides may be dropped hereinafter and thenparticularly pointed out when desired. Furthermore the top is built in in its true scope in the appended claims.

10 a collapsible frame that, when folded, may be The nature and scope 1of the invention will 1.0 stored in the rumble. and the folding is so acbe understood from a description of the precomplished that the. stored package will not, ferred embodiment thereof illustrated in the interfere with the comfort of occupants of the accompanying drawings,v in which: if} rumble seat who may prefer to ride without Figure 1 is a view,in perspective, ofan autothe top in place. mobile fitted with the novel rumble seat top' of 15,-! The object of the invention is to provide a this invention; a a a a rumble seat top that may be quickly and readily g 2, is a V w Similar o 1 flk at the a secured in place; that, while foldable for storrear of the automobile; age, will be substantially rigid when mounted; Fig. 3 is a view, in perspective, of the frame- 7 and one which may immediately and easily be work employedin the manufacture of the pre- 20 opened to. afford access to the rumble seat and ferred form of the invention, dot and dash lines egress therefrom. A further object of the inbeing applied to the framework to indicatehow, vention is to provide for adjustment to fit rumble it is covered; and i I a t I V a seat openings varying in width. I Fig.4 is a view, in longitudinal section through Accordingly one important feature of. the inthe rumble seat top as secured to the automo- 25 vention consists in the provision of a front bile in position enclosing the rumble seat openframework having a foot bar shapedtoifit within ing, a part of the automobilebody being broken the front and connecting side gutters of the away-to show the opened seat, and a part of rumble seat opening and to be clamped therein the side gutter being broken away to show how so that the front frame will stand rigidly across the overlapping front and side frames are seated 30 the said opening. The front frame clamps contherein. The dotted lines indicate how the rumstitute the only fastening devices for the entire ble seat top is opened for entrance and egress top. I of passengers to. and from the rumble.

A further feature comprises foldable sides, a In the embodiment of the invention illustrated 35, which may be either on a framework or made in the drawings a skeleton framework, comprls- 35.v of material not'requiring a stiffening frame, ing a front frame, roof frame and two side the bottom edges of which are shaped to fit frames, is employed to support the covering mawithin the side gutters of the rumble seat openterial, these frames being so hinged together as ing thus to hold them from spreading when the to be foldable into a more or less fiat package 4 top is in place and eliminate additional fasten cap of being stored in t rumble part- 40 for t purpose In t connection th ment whennot erected over the rumble seat, but back of the seat is preferably utilized to keep is within the scope of the invention the foldable sides from collapsing when the top Vide a roof m sldes of any 51111791319 mammal for is in place and to impart rigidity to the structhe purposenfltendedand tqhmge these ture' t t bQl'Tshtogetleerlndthl-l mariner lllllfstlgtgg 3.) n 4 5 i epre rre consr c1on e 1. 1-

a of wire bent to inverted U-shape to form a top P1Vta11 the mm iframevfmk" thus rail no and side rails u. Each side "m1 turns 50 to Permlt the -5 and roof 9 hfted as rearward and then doubles back upon itself 50 111.111? and to thrown to a posltlon forw d forming two relatively short side bottom rails l2. the front framework to uncover the rumble The free ends l3 of the frame wire turn inward se t for embarking D ng of .p beneath and parallel to the topfrail and are Th uncovering a d v n a t r t pas: received in the ends of a tube It th t is shorter 5; sengers are seated, isa simple operation because than the top rail. I'his structure forms a width-. 65.

wise adjustable bottom rail adapting the front frame, by springing the side rails out or in, to the differing widths of rumble seat openings which vary a few inches on different makes of automobiles. It will be understood that the covering material will be fitted on the front frame when extended to its greatest required width and will be caused to wrinkle slightly at each sideof the window therein when the bottom rail is adjusted for a narrower rumble seat opening or for reducing the folded top to a convenient width for storage. may be specially made to fit a particular rumble seat opening. In such case the free ends I 3 may be welded or otherwise connected and, the tube [4;

omitted. I Preferably, but not necessarily, the

front frame is braced by rods l5= connecting the rear end of each bottom side rail I-Z'With the adjacent end of the top rail ID.

The roof frame comprises a wire bent to U=shapeto form a rearrail l5- and side rails- II.

The forward ends'of-the side rails I! are hinged eral U-shape having a bottom rail I9 shaped tofit the curve of the rear body of the automobile at each side of the rumble seat opening, a front rail'20; and a rear rail 2| which may be bowed rearwardly to the general curvatureof the raised back 22 of therumble seat. The rails ZBand H tion of the front, roofarid sides to each other is illustrated by Figs. 1 and 2, andthe manner ofsecuring the top to the automobile is disclosed by Fig. 4. The rumble seat opening isprovided with agutter at both front and sides. When in position'for enclosing the rumble seat the bottom V rail of' the front'frame seats in the front gutter the body of the automobile.

. ter, 2.5; 75

24 and'the two short bottom side rails, completing the foot bar, seatin their respective side gutter 25. Clamps 26- are provided for holdingthe-front frame in the gutter and this is the sole fastening required. Conveniently, but not necessarily, each clamp 26 is permanently secured to a bottom side'rail l2. In the form of clamp illustrated-the upper end 21 of the metalplate-from which-the clampis formed is rolled about one of the doublings of the rail l2 so that the clamp is pivotally connected to and depends from this rail: The lower end 28--is turned outward and carries'a clamping screw 29. In fitting the frontframe to the automobile the two clamps are swung upward and after the frame is seated in the gutter the clamps are turned downwardto place their screws inside the rumble and beneath On tightening the clamps the front frame is held rigidly in place by the gutter and the clamps bearing upon the bottom side rails i2 and the underlying automobile body.

'It' will be observed that the side frames overlap the-front frame when the entire framework is in place with the curved bottom' rail I9- of each sidev frame seated in itsrespective side gut- I Thelength of the side; frames is such that 'eachcurved rear-rail 2| may abutan end Obviously the front frame of the opened rumble seat back 22, thusbracing the sides against collapsing inward and adding to the fore and aft rigidity of the entire top. The bracing by the seat back ordinarily is sufficient, but to insure rigidity of the framework just at the rear, of the front frame each clamp may be provided with a rearwardly extending retaining bar 38 which bears against the inner side of a front rail 20,. to; prevent an inward movement ofthe forward portion of a side-member should it be released from the retaining side walls of the gutter.

Any suitable covering material may be applied inany ordinary or convenient manner to the various frames herein described, or the sides and roof may be formed of a material inherently stiffenough not to require bracing by framework. The-covering of the front and side frames will, conveniently, be provided with windows forming a part of the covering. In fair weather, when thetop may be used merely asa sun shield the side coverings maybe detached. To this end each side covering has two parallel, vertical slits 34- extending; from about. the'cross brace 23 upward to thetop edge andthe portion between the slits is unsecured or detachably secured to the roof member. Multiple hooklessfastenings, accessible from inside, may beused to close the slits. Thus substantially anentire side may. be dropped inward over. a cross brace 23 at the will of the passenger. The covering of the front framemaybe fitted with multiple hookless fasteningsin the same manner. providing for an open or closed windshield asmay be desired.

It is preferred to employ a skeletonframework as shown; in Fig. 3 and: to. cover the several members with the same material. as is usedby automobile manufacturers for the tops. over the drivers seat. Such. coverings are best illustrated: in. Figs. 1 and; 2. The back of: the opened rumbleseat: provides. thegreater. part of: the back of the rumble seat top .andconveniently. theremainingportionof the-back may be formed by a back flaporzcurtainfi-Z: (Fig. 4) incontinuation of: the roof covering: This curtain-may have windows ifidesiredu In order;to:protect the interior frommainzdrivingin, especially. along the tops of the sides, the.- backcurtain has. sidewings 335: (Fig; 2): of" generally triangular shape lying outside of the covering. on each side mem.- ber.

Insome makesoft automobiles there may-not be room to fit the rear rails 21 or rear edges of the side membersof' the rumble. seat top; outside of'the ends'of' the opened rumble seat back as is preferredfor the-most efiicient bracing of the sidemembers. In suchcases the side-members must-be sprung-forwardslightly andtheir' rear edges fitted against the opened seat back. between its outer" edgesand the ends of the upholstery at its forward face as indicated in- Fig. 2:

After the top is in position enclosing the-runnble seat'opening, access oregress may be had-by manipulating the top in the following manner. The roofand sides, being-unsecured to the automobile body, may be-lifted asa unit from the side gutters, first=springing the top slightly ahead for clearance if necessary. Afterclearing the back-of'the rumble-seat thesides may be folded inward (they naturally" will fallinward-dueto the characterof the-coverings) and these threefolded members are then thrown over forward of the front frame as-shown bydotted-linesin- Fig. 4. Thus the rumble is as free for entrance as though no top had" been applied. After'entering the rumble the passenger swings the roof back into position permitting the sides to drop falls outsidegthe seat back 122.

For storage purposes after unclainping the rumble seat top, the two sides, the back flap collapsing inward between them, are folded in at the under side of the roof and these three members are folded down as a unit at the innerface of the front frame. "The package thus formed is substantially flat and, in certain makes of automobiles, can be retained invertical position at the front end of the rumble where it does not interfere with foot room, or in other makes of 20 automobiles can be laid flat beneath the drivers seat. The package is relatively small and light and can readily be handled by one person either from within or without thebompartment indetaching and folding of in unfolding and attach ing.

It will be clear to those skilled in this art, and. with the general objects of the present invention in view, that changes may be made'in the details of structure the described and illustrated embodiment of theinvention being'inten'ded asan exploitation of its underlying essentials, the

features whereof are stated in theirtrue scope in the claims herewith. v

That which is claimed as new, is:-' i

1. A removable top for the rumble seat "of an automobile in which the rumble seat opening presents a gutterat its front and sides, comprising a front frame having a front bottom rail to seat .in said front gutter and two relatively short side bottom rails to seat in said side gutters, means for detachably securing said frame in place, a roof member connected to said front frame and side members connected to said roof member.

2. The invention of claim 1 in which the said bottom rail of the front frame is adjustable to fit within front gutters of rumble seat openings varying in width. a

3. The invention of claim 1 in which said means for securing the front frame in place comprises manually releasable clamping members secured to and forming a permanent part of said front frame.

4. A collapsible top for rumble seats of automobiles including a front frame comprising a top rail and side rails formed by an inverted U-shaped member having a portion reversely bent upon itself at each side and directed rearwardly to form doubled side bottom rails and the free ends directed inwardly beneath the top rail to form a front bottom rail, a roof frame comprising a U-shaped member forming rear and. side rails, said side rails being pivotally connected to said top rail of the front frame, and two side frames each comprising a generally U-shaped member forming a bottom rail and front and rear rails each pair of the latter being pivotally connected to a side rail of the roof frame.

5. The invention of claim 4 in which the front is stiffened at each end by a tie rod, each of said rods extending from an end of the top rail to the rear end of the underlying side bottom rail.

6. The invention of claim 4 in which a clamping member is secured at each side of the front and sides, a rumble seat top comprising a front frame having a bottom rail shaped-to seatin said front and side gutters, two side frames having bottom rails shaped to seat in said. side gutters and a roof frame all suitably covered,

and means for 'detachably securing said top to the 'automobile-in position above said rumble seat opening; a

9. The invention according to claim 8 in which said means for securing the top consistsof manually operated clamps forbearing upon a bottom frame rail and the automoble body to hold said rail in the gutter.

10. A top for rumble seats of automobiles comprising a covered framework shaped at its 1 bottom edge to fit within the gutter about the framework comprises connected front, side and roof members and the means for detachably retaining the top in position acts solely upon the front member. 1

12. An automobile rumble seat top comprising a framework including skeleton side frames shaped to enclose the rumble seat opening from the'raised back of the seatforward, each side frame having a substantially horizontal cross brace, covering on said side frames, and parallel vertical slits in the covering extending from the upper edge thereof down to said cross brace, said upper edge between the slits being un secured forming a curtain flap, and multiple hookless fastenings at said slits for attaching and detaching said flap.

13. A removable rumble seat top for automoblies comprising a front frame having a bottom rail fitting in the front gutter of the rumble seat opening, a roof and two sides, each side havinga bottom edge fitting into a side gutter of the rumble seat opening and having its top edge pivotally connected to the roof for folding thereupon when the top is removed from the automobile, said sides being braced from collapsing inward by extending their rear edges to lie one at each end of the open back of the rumble seat.

14. The invention according to claim 13 in which additional provision against inward collapse of the sides comprises rigid means carried at each side of said front frame for bearing against the inner faces of the forward edges of said sides.

15. An automobile rumble seat top for enclosing the rumble seat opening comprising a roof, a front and sides secured in the gutter of the rumble seat opening, all suitably covered, and aback formed partially by the back of the open rumble seat and partially by covering on the rumble seat top.

16. An automobile rumble seat top comprising a covered front frame, a roof hinged at its forward edge to said front frame, side frames each hinged at its upper edge to a side of the roof and unconnected to the front frame, and means for clamping said top to the automobile; by its; front frame only, whereby the roof may be lifted on itshinge to the front frame and the sides folded inward thereupon to uncover the; rumble seat. i I I 1 7. A collapsible top dimensioned to enclose the rumble seat opening of an automobile comprising a roof, a front and two sides each independent of the other, said front being hingedly hungfrom the forward edge of the roof and said sides;being hingedly hung from the side edges-of the roof whereby the sides may be-sparatel-y folded inward under the roof and said three collapsed membersmay be folded downward-asa' unit at the back of said front producing a flattened package for storage purposes with the sides lying between the front and the roof. r i V v 18-; The invention of claim; 1'7 in which said roof: is: provided with a; curtain depending from its rear edge forming a back and consisting of flexible material to fold inward and lie betweenthe sides and the roof when the top is collapsed.

19. Axremovable and collapsible top for the rumble seat opening of an automobile consisting of -agfront having sufficient rigidity to standin the front'gutter' ofsaid opening, sides havingsuflicient rigidity to standin the sidegutters of said opening a roof to which the top edges of saidfront and sides are hingedly connected;- thebottom edge of each rigid side extending in the gutter from said front to the opened rumble seat back, and means for detachably securing said top'in said gutter independently of the opened seat back.

20; The invention of claim 19 in which said securing means consist of removable clamps holding, saidfront rigidly erect in the front gutter leaving the sides; unsecured but Held in the side gutters by being'bfaced between said front and said opened rumble seat backl' 21 ramme top for the: rumble seat of an automobile comprising a covered front frame having angular side wings to stand in the front corners for'n'iedby the front and side gutters of the rumble seat opening meanskfor clamping 7 said front frame in place, a covered roof frame relatively to the front and folded together to uncover the rumble seat opening.

22- A foldable frame for a: covered mp for the rumble seat of an automobile comprising a redtangular wire front" comprising; top, bottom and siderails; a U-shaped wiretop oomprising rear and side rails said side rails and the top rail of said frontframe being hingedly connected, and

generally U-shaped wire sides comprising bottom, forward and rear rails; the forward and rear rails of each. side and a side rail of the top being hingedly connected. v I

23. The; foldable frame defined by claim 22 in which said wire front includes side wings each formed by 'a wire extending rearwardly froman end of the bottom rail and then'upwardly to the end of the top rail at that side of the front.

EARL s. TUPPER. 

